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158 herbs, nutrients, and compounds. What the science says, what tradition knew, and what to watch for. Founding members keep this running.

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LIVER

Milk thistle

Silybum marianum

also known as Mary thistle, Holy thistle, St. Mary's thistle

A spiky thistle whose seeds yield silymarin, a flavonolignan complex used to support liver cell integrity and protect against hepatic toxins.

  • Supports liver cell membrane integrity
  • Supports glutathione synthesis in the liver
  • Used as adjunct in chronic liver conditions
  • Antioxidant protection of hepatocytes
  • Studied for fatty liver disease
  • Used as treatment for amatoxin (death cap) mushroom poisoning
  • Approved by Commission E for liver support

Active in Silymarin (silybin, silydianin, silychristin), Flavonolignans.

Possible cross-reactivity with Asteraceae allergy
May lower blood sugar — caution with diabetes medication
Use caution in hormone-sensitive conditions — mild estrogenic effects
Insufficient data in pregnancy and nursing — avoid

NIH NCCIH Herbs at a Glance · MedlinePlus Herbs & Supplements

Works with
Dandelion Milk thistle (silymarin, hepatocyte protection) and dandelion (choleretic, bile flow) are complementary liver-support herbs in integrative hepatology.
Related
Schisandra Milk thistle (silymarin) and schisandra (schisandrin B) are both hepatoprotective plants with overlapping antioxidant and liver-protective activity.
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The curious few.
50 founding spots left

Know what you're putting in your body.

158 herbs, nutrients, and compounds. What the science says, what tradition knew, and what to watch for. Founding members keep this running.

$60 /year

Founding rate — locked for life. Regular price after launch: $96/year.

  • ✓ Full access to all 158+ entries
  • ✓ Print-ready reference card for every herb
  • ✓ Monthly curated set — 5 herbs, one body system
  • ✓ The Sunday Letter — weekly research digest
  • ✓ Bookmarks synced across devices
  • ✓ Founding rate locked forever
Become a founding member

Cancel any time. No questions asked.